Maytenus senegalensis is a widespread African shrub or small tree in the Celastraceae family, recognized for its extensive use in traditional medicine and its ability to act as a pioneer species in restoring dryland woodlands. It is known for its spiny, wine-red branches, leathery blue-green leaves, and small, pinkish-red fruits.
The confetti tree or Senegal spike-thorn (Maytenus senegalensis, now usually classified as Gymnosporia senegalensis, family Celastraceae) is a deciduous, often thorny shrub or small tree up to 8 metres tall, with a trunk usually about 25 cm across. It is harvested from the wild for local use, and its root is a common commodity in the markets of Dakar, where it is considered one of the more active drugs in Senegalese traditional medicine. It has good potential as a pioneer for restoring woodland in drier areas.
It is widespread in the savanna regions of tropical Africa, from sea level to the mountains, in open bush, coastal and dune country and near swamps and river banks. It can grow where rainfall is as low as 700 mm a year and succeeds in most soils. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants, so both are needed for fruit. The leaves are widely used in remedies and are fairly free of toxic substances, but the root bark is toxic, and an infusion of the leaves can stupefy fish.
Source: Useful Tropical Plants database (Fern, K.).
The roots, bark, and leaves are extensively used in African traditional medicine to treat malaria, fever, stomach disorders, infections, pain, inflammation, and parasitic diseases.
The edible fruits and leaves are occasionally used as soup flavorings, sauce ingredients, salt substitutes, and for fermentation in some African communities.
Its spiny branches are used for protective fencing, while the wood serves in tool making, ritual baths, household items, and traditional weapons.
The plant is mainly propagated by seeds with dormancy treatment, while tissue-culture methods are used for faster and large-scale multiplication.